Subthreshold Stimulation for His Bundle Pacing

Abstract

One of the drawbacks of permanent His bundle pacing has been the relatively high pacing thresholds. The present experimental study was proposed to address this issue. In this article the authors present preliminary evidence that His bundle pacing can be achieved with subthreshold stimulation, thereby providing for increased battery life and consequently longer replacement intervals. Possible mechanisms underlying the paradoxical effects of subthreshold stimulation before and after the onset of complete atrioventricular block are also discussed.

Keywords: Atrioventricular; Atrioventricular block; Direct current; His bundle pacing; Long- and short-duration; Sub-threshold stimulation.